Staff praised at Pennine Acute Trust’s local NHS Staff Awards

The Police/Nurses ‘Swan Squad’ incl. members of NHS staff from The Trust, Police and Coroners’ Office posing with the Unsung Heroes award

A group of police officers and specialist nurses, who provided support to the victims and bereaved families following the Manchester Arena terror attack, have been presented with a special ‘Unsung Hero’ Award by the Chairman of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, which runs Pennine Acute Hospitals and Salford Royal.

The Trust’s special award was presented to the ‘Police/Nurses Swan Squad’ at the climax of the Pennine Acute’s 8th annual Staff Awards event on Friday 17 November in Manchester.

The staff awards are a highlight in the Trust calendar in celebrating and recognising the success and achievements of staff at all levels across the Trust’s four hospitals and community services in North Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.

Uniquely, the ‘Unsung Hero Award’, sponsored by ANS Group, did not just go to members of Trust staff, but to a team working across the NHS and Greater Manchester Police – comprised of the hospital’s SWAN bereavement nurses, GMP officers and coroners – who pulled together as one team with a shared purpose in response to the Manchester bomb in May.

Group Chairman, Jim Potter, said: “This is a team whose professionalism, skill, responsiveness, compassion and courage has been second to none as they have faced, without doubt, their most difficult and testing period in their careers.

“The team played, and continue to do so, such an important role in the aftermath of the terrible attack at the Manchester Arena on 22nd May where sadly 22 people lost their lives and so many others were injured and affected by the incident.

“What is so very special about this team is that this is very much a discreet team that quietly in the background do what they are best at - caring and supporting people in the darkest and most difficult of circumstances. They were a 24/7 team.

“Everyone went well above and beyond. Their impact and ongoing support provided to the victims and their families has been immeasurable. They have given these families control in what has been a very difficult uncontrolled situation within extraordinary circumstances. Everyone who has been involved in this fantastic team has contributed beyond words in the vital role they have provided for the victims and in supporting their families.”

One of the highlights this year was that staff and guests were given the opportunity to hold and take photographs of the ‘special recognition’ Pride of Britain Award, which was presented to the Manchester medics, including NHS staff across Greater Manchester, who were involved in responding to the Manchester Arena attack. The award was displayed on stage throughout the Trust’s staff awards ceremony.

Over 600 staff and guests attended from each of the Trust’s three Care Organisations in Oldham, Bury and Rochdale, and North Manchester.

Bury and Rochdale winners on the night included:

• Admin/Secretarial Worker of the Year – Joanne Porter and Vicky White (Stroke Clinical Audit Facilitators)

• Allied Health Professional/Technical/Scientific/Social Worker of the Year – Kieran Simpson (Learning Technologist)

• Doctor of the Year – Dr Sweta Pradhan (Consultant Physician)

• Nurse or Midwife of the Year – Amanda Haworth (Ward Manager)

• Support Worker of the Year – Bethany Scholes (Healthcare Assistant)

• Team Contribution to Outstanding Care – Accident and Emergency Department Team (Fairfield)

• Quality Improvement and Productivity Award – Team AMU – FGH

• Learner of the Year Award – Sam Reece (Nurse Practitioner and Practice Based Educator)

• Award for Clinical Excellence – Cancer Research Team

• Leading by Example Award – Ellishia Carter (Ward Manager)

• Volunteer of the Year – Debra Howard

Sir David Dalton, Group Chief Executive at the Trust and of the Northern Care Alliance, said: “Our Staff Awards is an important opportunity to recognise staff who have demonstrated outstanding care, skill and innovation.

“The event is a wonderful celebration of the great things our staff do and achieve, and an important formal recognition of our staff and volunteers who have not only lived and delivered the Trust’s values, but who have gone the extra mile and shown exceptional skills, care and compassion. This year’s awards were a fantastic success and a fitting way to say well done and thank you.”

The event was fully funded by generous sponsors including Vinci Construction, Mitie Total Security Management, ANS, Hill Dickinson, NHS Professionals, Brookson Direct, and Carefoot Plc.